**Summary:**
In response to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1420, concerning the needs of elderly people, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment addressed the following points:
a) The government acknowledges the need for a new policy to address the evolving needs of the elderly population, superseding the National Policy on Older Persons, 1999.
b) The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Amendment Bill, 2019, which sought to amend the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, lapsed after the dissolution of the Lok Sabha.
c) A Committee on 'Strengthening the Care Economy in India,' headed by a Member of NITI Aayog and comprising representatives from stakeholder Ministries, States/UTs, academic institutions, senior care organizations, and industry, has been established to recommend a strategic framework for the holistic care and welfare of senior citizens.
d) Specific details regarding implementation timelines and provisions for Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh are not provided in this response; however, the aforementioned committee's recommendations will likely inform future policy directions.
Key Entities Referenced
SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT: A ministry of the Government of India.
SHRI BHUMARE SANDIPANRAO ASARAM: A member of Lok Sabha who asked a question related to elderly people's needs.
SHRI GYANESHWAR PATIL: A member of Lok Sabha who asked a question related to elderly people's needs.
DR. SHIVAJI BANDAPPA IALGE: A member of Lok Sabha who asked a question related to elderly people's needs.
Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007: An existing Indian law concerning the welfare of parents and senior citizens.
Maharashtra: A state in India, mentioned in the context of policy implementation.
Madhya Pradesh: A state in India, mentioned in the context of policy implementation.
National Policy on Older Persons, 1999: An existing policy that provides State support to ensure financial and food security, healthcare, shelter, protection and other needs of older persons.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF'SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1420
TO BE ANSWERED ON 29,07.2025
NEEDS OF ELDERLY PEOPLE
TI42O. SHRI BHUMARE SANDIPANRAO ASARAM:
SHRI GYANESHWAR PATIL:
DR. SHIVAJI BANDAPPA I(ALGE:
Will the Minister of SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government proposes to introduce a new policy to meet the changing needs of
the elderly population in the various States of the country, if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government proposes to amend the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and
Senior Citizens Act,2007, if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government proposes to set up a task force to study the best global practices
comprehensively in the field of elderly care; and
(d) if so, the details thereof particularly for Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh and the details of
the timeline for implementation of the new policy?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT
(SHRI B.L.VERMA)
(a) to (d): The National Policy on Older Persons, 1999 envisages State support to ensure
financial and food security, healthcare, shelter, protection and other needs of older persons to
improve the quality of their lives. With the passage of time there is a need to bring in a new
policy. The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens (Amendment) Bill, 2019
was introduced in the Lok Sabha on I I .12.2019. The Bill lapsed after dissolution of Lok
Sabha. A Committee on 'Strengthening the Care Economy in India' headed by Member, NITI
Aayog, comprising representatives from the stakeholder Ministries, StatesfuTs, academic
institutions, senior care organizations and industry has been constituted to recommend a strategic
framework for holistic care and welfare of the senior citizens.
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